I strongly resent Byron Maduska's letter to the editor in the Jan 31 edition of the Times.

I was a diehard Republican for almost 40 years until the party turned too far to the right for my beliefs. So, as a Democrat, Maduska would call me an elitist anti-American?

As retired military, and then as a retired government contractor, I served my country for 42 years around the world. On more than one occasion, I have taken an oath to defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic. Still, Maduska would call me an elitist anti-American.

In a democracy, we have the right and privilege to believe and say what we want as long as it causes no clear and present danger. So, Maduska has the right to say what he said. But, in a democratic society, to call someone with different views a name that is offensive is not what one should do. We vote, and who wins, wins until the next election.

People with differing views should debate them by citing facts and personal feelings without having to resort to name calling.